Animal adoptions continuing online

Sunday

Apr 26, 2020 at 1:54 PM

City officials said in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Amarillo Animal Management & Welfare Department’s online adoption program has proven to be successful.

"We are continuing adoptions," City Manager Jared Miller said. "People are adopting online and then coming to the facility, where we're doing curbside service. We'll bring the animal to them and the paperwork to them, while also taking care of anything that wasn't taken care of online. That's been very effective."

In lieu of in-person adoption meet-and-greet sessions, officials said a 48-hour Foster to Adopt contract is established with anyone seeking to adopt a pet. Per the AAM&W website, during the initial 48 hours after which an adopted pet is picked up, the pet can be returned to the shelter and be re-adopted out if the pet is not a fit for its new home. According to the AAM&W, after 48 hours has elapsed after pickup, the pet is then considered to be in the adopter’s legal custody and owned by them.

Officials indicated the dog adoption fee is $35, while cats can be adopted for $25. AAM&W will spay and neuter the pets, officials said, and provide vaccinations - which are included in the adoption fee.

"Our live outcomes are right around 87 percent," Miller said. "We're right in the middle of a pandemic and have some of the highest live outcome rates that we've ever experienced in our shelter. That's a credit to not only our team, but our partners. There's a large, caring community that is focused on housing and caring for animals that don't have a home."

The department’s pet pantry initiative is a direct result of partnering, officials noted.

"We've done a really good job out there with our pet pantry," Miller said regarding the effort, which occurs at 3501 S. Osage St. "They're giving away dog food and cat food to anyone who comes up. It's been extremely well received, with lots of people coming in to take advantage of that opportunity."

Merritt Pet Care was praised for its role in the endeavor.

"They've been a huge partner in this, and it wouldn't be possible to do it without them," Miller said. "We couldn't access the tons and tons of food, so they're really going out of their way to step up in this time of mercy for us for assistance."

Officials said anyone interested in adopting a pet should access the following link, where an online adoption application and photos of animals currently available for adoption can be found: